Confused guy seeking help

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Hello everyone! I have a bachelor in Health Services Administration... To be honest, when I was in college, I was confused about what I wanted to study but wanted to focus on healthcare and Business... I was suggested to complete the bachelor in HSA and I also completed a minor in business... After graduation, not knowing what I wanted to do, I decided to join the military where I became a machinist... I did not like that job. I don't like to work with my hands doing mechanical work. It's just not my passion. I recently left the military, and I went to school to take some extra classes to apply for nursing. I already applied for the program, and I am waiting for a decision. I also got accepted for a Radiation Therapy program ( Both programs are Bachelors).. But the problem is that I am still not sure whether I really want to do any of them. I am told RT has no jobs. When it comes to nursing, I have a weak stomach and I don't quite like to deal with blood, vomit or any nasty stuff... Because of that, my wife does not think I would be successful as a nurse. She's also a nurse. She thinks I am too sensitive. I am also offered an opportunity to work for an insurance company where I would go to grad school for a finance degree... I am so confused that I have no clue what I want to do with my life. By the way, I am in my mid 30s... I would welcome some honest advice with anyone? Please be frank and open! Sometimes I go to job interviews but I don't get hired because they can tell I am not focused on a career. I am so tired of it that it stresses me out and makes moody. I am so desperate for a great career. I am already getting old, and I feel like I am failing in life. Please help!

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There are actually professionals who do what you are asking us (who don't do it for a living) to do. They are called vocational counselors and you can find then via the nearby university or college, or in your state division of vocational rehab, or whatever it's called where you are. They will give you a battery of tests to help you discover your calling. Could be something entirely different.

You've tried a bunch of things and have a bunch of interesting skills. Take the time to let the pros help you figure out a way to identify what you'd be best at, what you'd be better off avoiding, and how to proceed.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

I'm inclined to agree with your wife regarding nursing. While nobody likes to deal with body fluids, in order to survive as a nurse you have to be able to deal with them. If you really can't, then nursing would not be a good choice for you.

Honestly, you are so all over the place with what you want to do with your life my advice would be to do nothing until you figure it out. You seem to jump from one thing to another without really taking the time to know yourself well enough to apply yourself to any one thing. This pressure you feel to "do something" (anything) and do it right now is only going to set you up for failure down the road. Take some time and get some professional career advice before jumping into something else that you are not sure about.

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Radiation therapy is dead in my area for job prospects. Have you thought about radiography or sonography? Radiography is an associates, but with your bachelor's, it would make you a nice candidate down the road as a lead tech or something maybe.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If the sight of blood, vomit, poop & etc make you queasy then I would look into another line of work. There is no way around it in nursing.

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" I am also offered an opportunity to work for an insurance company where I would go to grad school for a finance degree". Apparently, you convinced someone your were focused. What could possibly be the downside to THAT?

You state you are moody, stressed , and desperate. That requires more advice than you can find here.

If you aren't listening to your wife's advice, whose advice would you follow?

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Do you or your wife have access to EPA? If you do take advantage of it.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

We merged your duplicate threads w/replies.

Good luck with your decision.

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Do not go to any field in medical imaging. Every modality (radiation therapy, radiography, ultrasound, etc) is saturated nationwide. Doesn't matter if you have a bachelors if you can't get experience as a new grad. Since you have a bachelors and if you really want to be in the medical field, I would suggest PA school. You would see less bodily fluids during clinical rotations and not at all once you start your career (depending on your speciality). Heck, you can even work in radiology as a PA if that still interests you. Intervential radiography is booming and there's lots of PAs working under radiologists. Plus, a lot of PA schools give preferences to vets.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

If you don't like to deal with "nasty stuff" why is nursing even on your radar? Being "desperate" is not a way to pick nursing.

Honestly..you sound like a child. You are "stressed" at interviews..you don't "like" most jobs. You are not "focused" and you are "moody" but you are "desperate for a great career".

You are "told" RT has no jobs. By who? Your post is unfocused and chaotic. You are throwing out a zillion ideas with no clue what you want. Being a nurse involves vomit, GI bleeds, and every other fluid and smell you can think of. If you cannot handle it then WHY are you thinking about nursing?

Working with your hands was not your "passion"....ok..then what is? Sometimes nursing isn't my "passion", but I have bills and I need to eat so I work hard and stop complaining.

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Thank you for your comment.

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Thanks for your advice... It is appreciated.

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